Page 140 - Novopazarski Zbornik 36

144 Nadžib Kočan НЗ 36/2013

Nadžib Kočan

VRBICA VILLAGE IN TURKISH REGISTER

Vrbica village is situated about 20 km northwest from Berane. Until re-
cently the village belonged to the Berane community, but today it belongs to the
Petnjica community. Vrbica is an old settlement from prehistory which is confir-
med with archaeological findings. Illirian tribes inhabited this area, as confirmed
by one tumulus from the archaeological site Ravni Turjak. The most important
document is the Turkish register from 1571 where Vrbica village is mentioned as
the most populated village in Bihor area. This village had the highest number of
households. According to the same document, Vrbica village was economically
very strong. The names of the household are predominantly Christian with a small
number of Muslims, and three priests are listed. Emigration from and immigration
to these areas in the past centuries has changed the ethnic structure of the popu-
lation, and today this village has a majority Muslim population. According to the
register of 2011, Vrbica village had 240 households and 977 inhabitants.